News

Opening tax files for everyone over 18: IRD officials point out difficulties, costs

Published

3 years ago

2023/07/15

By Rathindra Kuruwita

It will require huge amounts of human and physical resources for the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to open tax files for all Sri Lankans over 18 by January 2024, Secretary of the IRD Staff Officers Association J. T. Chandana has said.

Chandana is also a Deputy Commissioner at the IRD.There are significant shortages in both human and physical resources at the IRD, making the accomplishment of the task difficult, he has said.

“However, if the IRD plans to accomplish this, we need help from policy-makers. About 16 million tax files need to be opened by January 2024. Each tax file needs at least four pages. That is at least 64 million A4 sheets.”

The IRD also needs a large infusion of manpower for the task. The IRD currently has 262 unfilled vacancies. 68 persons have passed exams, almost six months ago, to join the IRD but the Cabinet of Ministers have not approved their appointments.

“These are graduates with classes. We urge the government to look into this.”

Chandana has also said that everyone over 18 will have to be given a Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the IRD. However, a person has to pay taxes only if he or she earns more than 1.2 million rupees a year.

“There are many people in Sri Lanka who make more than 1.2 million rupees a year, but have not opened a tax file. We need to bring them into the tax net. We can reduce the 36 percent of personal tax if everyone is registered with the Department,” he has said, adding that already many people have started opening tax files.

All News Advertisement

Up Next

Our aim is to create a critical Sri Lankan who is a global citizen -State Minister of Higher Education

Don't Miss

Swiss Embassy worker gets suspended sentence for falsely claiming she was abducted and abused by state agents

Click to comment

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/13

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 12 April 2026, valid for 13 April 2026.

Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

Latest News

Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon

Published

7 hours ago

2026/04/13

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon.